The NBA is back in London with the Boston Celtics taking on the Philadelphia 76ers - and here's what to look out for

1 – “FLAT EARTH” KYRIE IRVING

The best player on the court, and the best point guard in the NBA for some, is set to dazzle.

He walked out on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign with the Boston Celtics and has been making some unreal shots and showing some off unreal skills all season.

Irving also says he has some special sneakers to reveal for the game and is a real character – he once even claimed he believes the Earth is flat!

Celtics cult hero Brian Scalabrine said: “You know the whole Flat Earth thing? You watch him play and you realise he’s from a different planet! His planet must be flat.

“I think his planet is the size of a basketball court and he dominates his planet. Because I have never ever seen a player like that… He is a special, special player.”

2 – BIG MOUTH JOEL EMBIID

Cocky Sixers big man Joel Embiid says “kicking arse” and “talking sh*t” are on his agenda in London.

He’s already got into trouble for mouthing off at the likes of Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant this season and there could be more fireworks at the O2.

Embiid is 7 feet tall and does not back down to anyone. He can dunk, block shots and shoot from long range – and he wants to dominate every game.

He says he wants fans in London to boo him because it will get him fired up, and his battle with Celtics veteran Al Horford should be one to watch.

3 – SEA OF GREEN?

Celtics president Rich Gotham expects the O2 to be full of Boston fans. They’re the bigger franchise and the bigger global brand.

They were also well supported when they last came to London in 2007, and expect another warm welcome despite this being designated a “home” game for Philly.

Gotham said: “It’s technically Philly’s home. But we’ll see who’s got the most jerseys this time…”

Co-owner Wyc Grousbeck has also talked up his team’s global fanbase, saying: “If we play in the Philippines we could fill a million-person arena, if not more.

“Spain goes crazy for the Celtics after the Dream Team played there at the Olympics.

“The Celtics have a tradition of travelling. We’re a global brand and we want to go and see our fans everywhere.”

4 - MARKELLE FULTZ

The Sixers rookie told fans: “I got a surprise for y’all in London” on his Instagram account this week.

And he’s known for making spectacular trick shots from the stands, the tunnel, and even backwards during the warm-up before games, so keep your eyes on him before the tip.

Once cut from his high school team, he became a star in college and Boston were expected to select him with the Number One pick in the draft.

Instead, they traded the pick to Philly, who selected Fultz, in return for the Number Three pick, which Boston used to get Jayson Tatum, who should start on Thursday.

While Tatum has been a revelation, Fultz got injured and hasn’t played much this season. You may see more of him during the warm-up than the game.

5 – POM-BASHER ARON BAYNES

Celtics big man Aron Baynes was last in London with the Australian national team when they thrashed Luol Deng’s Team GB 106-75 at the 2012 Olympics.

It happened on Super Saturday too, Britain’s most successful Olympics day since 1908, with six gold medals won.

But while most of the fans at the Olympic Park went home happy, Baynes took delight in sending UK hoops fans home miserable.

He said: “Yeah I remember that. I enjoyed it. The Olympics was fun and that was one of my favourite memories. I don’t know how popular I’ll be in London!”

After England’s dismal Ashes series Down Under, Baynes has even more reason than the rest of his team-mates to enjoy his time in the capital.

6 – HACK A BEN

Sixers point guard Ben Simmons is so bad at shooting free throws that teams have taken to fouling him late in the game so he can miss.

The Washington Wizards did it so successfully in a game earlier this season that it helped them outscore their opponents 37-25.

Simmons hit just 12 of his 24 shots from the foul line in that game after being sent there so often the home crowd got bored of watching it and started booing.

It’s a controversial strategy that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has tried to stop, and it ruins the game as a spectacle – so let’s hope Boston avoid it.

Simmons is set to become a huge star and has invited comparisons with LeBron James – but it’s the one major weakness in his armoury.

7 – PREMIER LEAGUE STARS COURTSIDE

The stars always come out for NBA London, and with so many Premier League players big fans of the sport, the courtside seats are usually full of familiar faces.

Tottenham’s Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen, along with Crystal Palace’s Patrick Van Aanholt, Mamadou Sakho, and Tim Fosu-Mensah all took part in NBA events this week.

But fans at the O2 will probably get to see a whole lot more – even though the NBA have tried to cut down on the amount of freebies they gave out this time.

Past games have also featured the likes of Paul McCartney, Lennox Lewis, Cara Delevigne, Gordon Ramsey and Didier Drogba.

Whoever turns up this time will be trying to avoid getting on “Kiss-Cam” or getting silly-stringed by cheeky Sixers mascot Franklin.

But even though the game is a sell-out there could still be empty seats as many tickets have found there way on to Stubhub at massively inflated prices.